Madock Chivasa of the National Constitutional Assembly
said: “We expect the incoming Commissioner-General (CG) to respect human rights
and to protect all citizens according to the laws of the country. The incoming
CG can also be different by putting measures to eradicate corruption in the
force.”

MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said as a party they
celebrated Chihuri’s departure.

“The outgoing Commissioner-General left a bad legacy after
failing to deal with indiscipline in the police force. There was visible
corruption; poor work ethic and unprofessional behaviour that made it difficult
to believe the details have minimum qualification for the job. Chihuri was a
bad example of the police force,” he said, adding the police always trampled on
opposition activists’ rights with impunity.

Tajamuka/Sesjikile spokesperson Ostalos Siziba said Chihuri
represented an oppressive system that violated the rights of activists for a
long time.

“Chihuri and his police were a symbol of oppression. His
exit is like the removal of colonial statues and we have no kind words for that
man. That on its own is a lesson for the person coming that you can only fit
into the smelly shoes of Chihuri at your own peril,” Siziba said.

Yesterday, metal spike-wielding police officers were back
on the streets where they engaged in running battles with vendors and commuter
omnibuses.

Vendors’ representatives said the police seemed to have
learnt nothing during the last five weeks when the military was in charge of
all policing duties.

“We expect an end to police corruption and brutality.
Vendors suffered a lot at the hands of the corrupt and insensitive police force
which appeared to be getting orders from Chihuri himself. As vendors, we hope
that he will be investigated and must be made to account for the violation of
people’s rights, mostly vendors,” Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic
Transformation leader Samuel Wadzai said.

National Vendors’ Union of Zimbabwe leader Sten Zvorwadza
said it was a good move on Mnangagwa’s part to retire Chihuri.

“Informal economy workers welcome his departure with great
smiles. We hope the incoming Commissioner-General will respect human rights,”
he said. Newsday